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Qianyu waited at home for Kakashi.
If the goal was simply to locate Yamato within the Root's base, sending Kakashi wasn't strictly necessary.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't trust the Uchiha clan, Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force wasn't for show—they had skilled genjutsu users of their own.
Hiruzen had sought out Kakashi, explicitly ordering him to accompany the Anbu to the Root compound. That… was worth thinking about.
Now, a shadow clone of Kakashi stood before him. Qianyu's speculation solidified.
"Correct, Qianyu-sensei," the shadow clone confirmed. "Hiruzen sent two Anbu to tail me. My real body pretended to vent his frustration in the woods at the edge of the village, then took the chance to create me to come find you."
Qianyu cut to the chase. "Hiruzen tried to turn you, didn't he?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. He wants me to join the Anbu. There's more. He claims to have obtained… 'evidence of crimes' committed by you and Lord Orochimaru. He tried to use that to turn me, to get me to join the Anbu and work for him."
Qianyu's eyes narrowed. "So," he murmured to himself, "is he making his move against me and Orochimaru-sensei now?"
His gaze flicked toward the bedroom. If the Third Hokage was preparing to act immediately, he'd need to accelerate his own departure plans.
"Kakashi," Qianyu said, his voice low. "Tell me everything. The whole conversation. And describe this 'evidence.'"
The shadow clone relayed the entire exchange from the Hokage's office.
A sneer touched Qianyu's lips. "Huh. Some of that only Danzō would know. So the 'evidence' came from him. Too scared to move against me and Orochimaru-sensei directly, yet he still tries this? So like him. Call him cautious, and he goes for a blunt recruitment play. Call him reckless, and he's already laid a backup plan."
"Backup plan?" the clone asked.
"That line about 'giving us another chance'," Qianyu explained. "About how he'll 'drop hints' and as long as we don't repeat our 'mistakes', he'll let it go. That's the backup. If turning you fails, you'd obviously report back to me. That line is his way of saying, 'Your past actions and my recruitment attempt are now a wash.' He knows Kushina is about to give birth. He knows I don't want conflict right now either. More importantly, Konoha is desperately short on shinobi of our caliber. They need us. They need our reputations to deter the other villages. Hiruzen doesn't dare act. Not yet. He still has to rely on us."
Understanding dawned in the shadow clone's visible eye. "I see."
Qianyu studied the clone. "So, you're planning to play along. Join the Anbu."
"Yes. If I'm inside, I can act as an early warning system for you and Lord Orochimaru if anything happens."
A dry chuckle escaped Qianyu. "Honestly, it's not necessary. With my current strength, I can protect you and Kushina and walk out of Konoha whenever I choose. No one here can stop me. Not even if Jiraiya and the long-lost Tsunade returned and teamed up against me. But… it's your choice. If you want the experience, go for it. It's up to you.
When you were younger, facing a choice like this would have left you tangled and lost. Back then, I could make the choice for you. But you're grown now. Mature. You can decide your own path. You've been a shinobi who stands on his own for a long time, Kakashi."
The shadow clone's expression grew solemn. "Yes. Thank you, sensei. For always supporting me."
Qianyu waved a dismissive hand. "None of that between us. Listen, Kakashi. After Cang M is born, I want you to be his teacher."
The clone stiffened. "Eh? Me? Am I… really capable?"
Qianyu's eyes softened. He reached out, clapping the clone's shoulder. "I just said it. You're a strong shinobi. Why wouldn't you be? Believe in yourself."
The shadow clone took a deep, steadying breath. "Yes. I will teach Cang M well. I swear it."
Qianyu nodded. "Good. The rest is your decision. Whatever you choose, I've got your back."
"Yes, sensei. I'll take my leave now."
With a puff of smoke, the clone vanished.
The memories flooded back into Kakashi's mind.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips beneath the mask. He continued his act for a while longer—punching trees, letting out frustrated grunts—before finally letting himself slump to the forest floor. He lay there until dawn broke.
Then, he made his way to a narrow alley near Qianyu's house. He stood there for a long moment, simply staring at the familiar door and windows.
His fist slammed into the wall beside him. The stone cracked.
"Why?" he growled, voice thick with a convincingly raw mix of anger and betrayal. "Why would you do those things?!"
With a final, seemingly heartbroken glance, he turned and stalked away, heading for his own home.
From their hidden vantage point, Hare and Antler watched. Hare gave a slight nod, remaining behind to continue the surveillance. Antler slipped away silently.
Soon, he was standing in the Hokage's office, reporting everything he'd witnessed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe, took a long, thoughtful puff. "I see. Dismissed."
As Antler vanished, Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his mind working.
He went straight to the woods to vent. Couldn't accept it. Vented all night. Then went to stare at Qianyu's house this morning… angry. Disappointed. That line, 'why would you do those things'… He didn't confront Qianyu directly. Meaning part of him already suspected, but didn't want to believe it. Now… he believes. And the belief has turned to disappointment.
A slow, satisfied smile spread across Hiruzen's face within the haze of smoke.
It seems a promising shinobi with a bright future… is coming home. To me. To Konoha.
Three days later, Kakashi stood once more in the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen felt a surge of triumph but kept his expression carefully neutral. He even feigned mild curiosity. "Kakashi? What brings you here?"
Kakashi kept his head slightly bowed. "Hokage-sama. About our conversation the other day… I've made up my mind."
Hiruzen's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "Have you now? And what is your decision?"
Kakashi's voice was low, heavy. "I… cannot accept the things my sensei has done."
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